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Music drama

The Disciple (2021): Cast & Ratings

The Disciple (2021) movie poster

The Disciple is a 2021 music drama directed by Chaitanya Tamhane, starring Sumitra Bhave as Maai, Aditya Modak and Arun Dravid. It runs 2 hours 7 minutes. It won 1 award from 2 nominations, including Amplify Voices at the TIFF 2020. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
96%
award won
1
Echo Score
77
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The Disciple (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 7m (127 min)
Genres
Drama , Music
Original language
Marathi
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Disciple About?

The premise of The Disciple without spoilers.

Driven by a deep faith and a yearning for musical mastery, a vocalist dedicates his life to achieving vocal perfection. He seeks guidance from established masters, striving for knowledge and refinement in his craft. However, his journey is fraught with challenges, and he grapples with moments of self-doubt as he searches for the unattainable ideal of excellence.

The Disciple Themes & Keywords

· 7 tags
  • classical music
  • vocalist
  • traditions
  • journey
  • passion
  • musician
  • world music
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Cast & crew

The Disciple Cast & Characters

Sumitra Bhave leads the cast as Maai, with Aditya Modak as Sharad Nerulkar and Arun Dravid as Guruji. Directed by Chaitanya Tamhane; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Chaitanya Tamhane

More films directed by Chaitanya Tamhane, best-rated first: Court and Six Strands.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Disciple Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Disciple 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (62).

77 /100

The Disciple Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of its cumulative impact, The Disciple excels in visual craftsmanship and immersive sensory design while delivering a nuanced character study, yet its narrative pacing and unresolved threads temper the experience. Critics commend the film’s artistry and profound portrayal of a musician’s struggle, whereas several viewers note sluggish storytelling. The sensory richness and strong performances sustain engagement, but the uneven narrative flow can hinder broader appeal. Consequently, the film offers a rewarding but occasionally demanding viewing that rewards attentive audiences.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of direction and visual execution, the film demonstrates meticulous composition and controlled surrealist flourishes. Critics highlight the deliberate pacing, static shots, and wide‑angle pans that create a contemplative atmosphere, while users praise the beautiful cinematography and photographic palette. Some note occasional rough edges, but overall the craftsmanship establishes a striking aesthetic presence.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When evaluating acting and emotional depth, performers convey nuanced frustration and devotion. Reviewers commend the naturalistic portrayals that embody the disciple’s internal conflict, and critics note the film’s ability to universalize the melancholy of unfulfilled ambition. A minority of viewers found the pacing hindered character connection, yet the overall consensus affirms a compelling, albeit restrained, character study.

  • Story & Flow 62

    The narrative structure centers on a slow‑burn examination of an aspiring musician’s journey, emphasizing mood over plot propulsion. Critics acknowledge the film’s profound thematic ambition but point to overthought exposition and unresolved story threads. User feedback mirrors this split, citing both a touching, subtle storyline and a screenplay that at times feels underdeveloped, resulting in a mixed overall narrative impression.

  • Sensory Experience 84

    The film’s auditory and visual palette immerses viewers in Hindustani classical tradition. Critics praise the hypnotic soundtrack, intricate sound design, and the deliberate visual style that pairs static compositions with subtle color shifts. Audience comments highlight the mesmerizing musical performances and cinematic texture, though a few note that the sensory richness occasionally overshadows narrative clarity. Overall, the sensory experience is a primary strength of the work.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    Rewatch potential hinges on the film’s meditative pace and layered thematic content. While many viewers appreciate the depth of the musical world-building and anticipate discovering new nuances on subsequent viewings, others find the slow rhythm and unresolved plotlines diminishes repeat enjoyment. The strong visual and auditory craftsmanship encourages revisiting, yet the narrative's lingering ambiguities may limit its lasting appeal for a broader audience.

Awards

The Disciple Awards & Nominations

The Disciple won 1 award from 2 nominations, including Amplify Voices at the TIFF 2020. Its biggest night was the TIFF 2020, with 1 win from 1 nomination.

1 win2 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

The Disciple Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Disciple.

#BIFF2020 A Window on Asian Cinema - The Disciple / 아시아 영화의 창 - 수업시대
Details

The Disciple Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “夢追い人” and “수업시대”.

Also known as
  • 夢追い人
  • 수업시대
  • Der Schüler
  • O Discípulo
  • 声之门徒
  • Kusursuz Öğrenci
  • A növendék
  • התלמיד
  • Žák
  • El discípulo
  • ศิษย์เอก

Seen The Disciple?

FAQ

The Disciple FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards, post-credit scenes and language of The Disciple, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Disciple?

The Disciple runs 2 hours 7 minutes (127 minutes).

When was The Disciple released?

The Disciple was released on April 30, 2021.

Who directed The Disciple?

The Disciple was directed by Chaitanya Tamhane.

More films by Chaitanya Tamhane

Who is in the cast of The Disciple?

The Disciple stars Sumitra Bhave as Maai, Aditya Modak as Sharad Nerulkar and Arun Dravid as Guruji, among 10 credited actors.

How is The Disciple rated?

The Disciple has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

What awards did The Disciple win?

The Disciple won 1 award from 2 nominations, including Amplify Voices at the TIFF 2020.

Does The Disciple have a post-credit scene?

No. The Disciple has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Disciple in?

The original language of The Disciple is Marathi.

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